George Eastman patented his first Kodak camera in 1889 with the slogan: 'You press the button we do the rest'. Over the next century Kodak cameras revolutionised photography by reducing costs and making simple but high quality camera's available to non-professionals.

The earliest Kodak's were simple box cameras which were sent to a local dealer after all the shots on the film inside were taken. The dealer developed the film and sent the photographs and the reloaded camera back to the photographer. Kodak realised the real money was in the sale and developing of film and he introduced numerous models to capture the interest of people from all walks of life.

While introducing a wide range of innovative features two designs dominated Kodak's cameras. The most famous of these was the Box Brownie, designed by Frank Brownell, and introduced at the cost of one dollar in 1900. Brownie's were produced in one form or another up until the 1960s when the Kodak Instamatic was introduced.

The second major design was Folding Pocket Kodak camera introduced in the 1890s. The Folding Pocket camera was highly portable and could be brought in a range of film sizes. Larger negatives such as those found in the No. 4A Folding Pocket Camera were favoured for more professional shots. The smaller Vest Pocket Kodak camera's were introduced in 1912 and were popular with soldiers in World War One.

The Box Brownie model No 2A was made by Kodak between 1930-1933. The camera was released in an aluminium case as well as in blue, brown, grey, green, and red cases. It was replaced by the short-lived Brownie Six-16.

References
McKeown, Jim and Joan, Collectors Guide to Kodak Cameras, Centennial Photo Service, 1981

Geoff Barker, March, 2007

Camera, 'Brownie model No 2A Hawkeye', metal / glass / wood / textile / leather, made by Eastman Kodak, Rochester, New York, United States of America, 1930-1933

A rectangular box-like camera covered in brown leatherette with a brown leather strap on the top. A horizontal viewfinder is located on the top of the camera and a vertical viewfinder and a shutter release lever on the right side of the camera. The film winder for the camera is also located on the right side of the camera. Three circular lenses can be seen on the front of the camera. At the back of the camera there is a round, red tinted window.

Made: Eastman Kodak Company; Rochester, New York, USA; 1930 - 1933

Text on the leather handle reads 'NO 2A TARGET / HAWKEYE'. Text on the metal around the film winder reads 'USE KODAK FILM 116'.

87/583

1930 - 1933

132 mm

87 mm

140 mm